Dominance between Franklin and Maggie

[PrincessDiana]

We just recently adopted Maggie, a 3 1/2 year old female yorkie. We have her in addition to Franklin, our 7 month old puppy. Here is our situation:

Maggie is very calm and reserved. She's way past her puppy stage. Most of the time, she wants to just sleep.

Franklin on the other hand, is hyper and rambunctious. All he wants to do is play so he spends his days harassing Maggie, which she does not enjoy very much.

I know part of it is that he's feeling insecure and jealous about the new addition to our family. I had my boyfriend take Franklin upstairs last night so I could have some alone time with Maggie. Usually Franklin LOVES to play with Andrew, but last night all he did was lay at the top of the stairs and cry. It broke my heart!!

Anyway - my solution has been to gate Maggie off in the kitchen, where her crate is. It's dark and comfortable in there, somewhere where she can find peace and quiet AWAY from Franklin. I am concerned, however, that she is feeling left out. It's not really fair to her to gate her off in the kitchen while the rest of us are in here with Franklin. I would put Franklin in the kitchen but I know he would do nothing but bark and bark and bark. I would just let him bark it out but we live in an apartment complex, as well as with a roommate who isn't very tolerant of Franklin.

I realize I am completely whipped by my babies and need someone to slap some sense into me. What should I do?

[celstu1]

haha I think you are perfectly normal with your babies! If I were you, as long as they are not hurting each other Id keep and eye on them and let them battle it out for dominance. Once Maggie 'tells' Franklin to cut it out, he will. I honestly believe this is a natural thing that has to work itself out. I have 2 boys who get totally jealous of each other. I just am happy I have 2 hands! And I realize that I cannot get a 3rd puppy bc I just do not have enough hands for that many heads! haha my pups are soo spoiled!

[marcerella02]

awww i know this must be hard. But it is only day 2 right? i think it will take a few weeks for everyone to settle in. I think what you did the other night (putting Franklin upstairs with your boyfriend) is exactly what you should be doing. Having one-on-one time with each of them. Maybe tonight Maggie can go upstairs for one-on-one time and you and Franklin can go for a walk or soemthing. I heard that the best way to get dogs to bond and respect eachother is to take them for a walk together. It gets them out of the house (where dominice issues occur as you know ) and gets them doing something they both like, together. Also I know at our sitter's house, she helps control the pecking order by always making sure her dominant (Oaklee) is fed first, and then she moves down the line and since Layla is a visitor in their house she eats last. Make sure you feeed Franklin first, even if it is in another room, make sure Maggie can see that. While it is up to them to figure things out, you need to help. Also, i have no idea what i'm talking about i only have one but we have dealt with issues when it comes Layla's sitters house so hopefully this helps a bit. give it time.. they will adjust... Franklin is excited because she is new and poor Maggie must be very stressed out. Keep us updated!!!

[tjdmom]

I agree with the others. I have an 11 year old collie and Zoe who is a little over a year but still pretty active. I started walking them together when we first got Zoe and it really does help but I have to say that my collie just tolerates Zoe although sometimes I think she really does like her, just doesn't want to admit it. Zoe is very submissive and I think that does help. I don't really let my two work it out themselves because Sasha is so much bigger but I think you probably could let your two work it out on their own. Zoe seems to know that she can't go crazy with Sasha but you should see her with another puppy. She's a maniac! Anyways, good luck with your babies!